Overprotective

Chapter XIV

My wedding was now only a day away, and I was more nervous than ever. I was vomiting my guts into a wastepaper basket in the bathroom when I heard a knock on the door.

"Go away." I hissed sickly.

The door opened anyway, and there was Harold, looking worried. "The maid told me you were in here."

I wiped the corners of my mouth with my hand. "Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you!"

He knelt down beside me. "I'm glad to see you too, Merry. But, may I ask why you are hurling in that garbage can?"

"I'm just nervous, that's all, Harry." I smiled, and wiped a stray tear from my eye.

"Are you ill?" he placed the back of his hand to my forehead.

"No, I'm not ill. I'm just under a lot of stress and it's affecting me in many ways."

"What ways?"

"Well, I'm obviously nauseous, I'm tired, I'm slightly sore all over and I'm achey, and I haven't gotten my monthly this month, and I-"

His eyes widened. "Meredith… You're joking, right?"

I shook my head. "Harold, it's not what you're thinking…"

He sighed. "Be honest," he placed his hand on my shoulder, "Did you and Spencer… well, you know… do anything inappropriate that I'll have to kill him for later?"

I nodded my head slowly. "But, Harold, it's only stress, I'm sure of it."

"I'm taking you to a doctor. Come on. Clean yourself up." he helped me stand up.

"Are you angry?" I asked.

"Not with you." he answered, and shut the door behind him.

In fifteen minutes I was ready, and emerged from my bedroom dressed for the day. Harold was waiting in the hall for me. He took my arm and we descended the stairs, and got into one of Aunt Gwen's cars. We were both silent the whole ride, and finally arrived at a small doctors building.

"I made a few calls while you got ready. Apparently this doctor is good and trustworthy. It'll be fine." he grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly as we walked inside.

The doctor took me in immediately, and instructed me to sit down on the examination table.

"So, Miss Lowe, what seems to be the trouble?" the balding, middle-aged doctor asked.

"Well, I'm getting married tomorrow, and I've been nervous, which has been making me ill. But my brother dragged me here because he thinks I'm pregnant."

"Well, we'll figure that out soon. I need to ask you a few questions first."

Twenty minutes later, after the man asking me every single question he possibly could and doing a quick examination of me, he gave me a diagnosis, and then I was free to go.

I walked into the waiting room, where Harold sat with his head resting on his fist, and his elbow on his knee. His legs were crossed, and he looked to be deep in thought.

"Hello, Harry…" I walked towards him slowly.

"What happened?" he asked quickly.

"Well, it turns out, you were right…" I spoke hesitantly, and then waiting for a reply.

After a moment of thinking, Harold spoke, "I guess I get to kill your fiancé now. It's the big brother's job, you know."

"You will do no such thing, Harold Godfrey Lowe!" I hissed. "You will let me tell him myself, and you will keep out of it. You hear me?"

"Fine…"

"This is all going to be alright. I'll be married tomorrow, and it's all going to be fine. Nobody will know but you, me, and Spencer." I explained nervously.

"I'm here for you. And my nephew."

"What makes you think I'm having a boy?"

"I don't know. I can just sense there's a little troublemaker in there, ready to take after his Uncle Harry."

I laughed. "I can sense that too."

He put his arm around my shoulders. "Come on, let's go get some lunch."

We went to a small diner down the street, and sat down at a booth.

I ordered a salad and water. I wasn't feeling too well, so I figured eating light would be best.

"So, my little niece or nephew will be here in…" he thought for a moment, "March?"

I nodded.

"You have any names in mind?"

"Well, if it's a boy, I guess something for Adam or James."

"I think Harold is a good name. Just a suggestion." he flashed a wide smile.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Our food arrived then.

"Oh, Harold, when you come back to the house I'll have to show you my kitten that Spencer got for me. She's adorable."

"He bought you a cat?"

I nodded, while taking a bite of lettuce.

"How romantic of him." he said sarcastically.

"I love my kitten. And I know you like cats too, Harold. You always went to the barn down the street and played with the cats there. I remember."

"Well, now I just think they are filthy little hairballs."

"My little Ellie is far from a filthy hairball. She's cute. You'll love her."

"Alright. After we drop you off though, I think I should probably go back to my hotel. You need to talk to Spencer."

I looked down, and was quietly thinking about what I could possibly say.

"Meredith, you have to."

"I know." I looked up at him, "I'm going to. Don't worry."

"I'll come by around six o'clock. Tell Aunt Gwen I'm coming for dinner, if she'll have me."

"She surely will. Don't worry. I'll let her know."

After we finished our lunch, we got back into the car and went home. Harold got out and opened my door, helping me out and giving me a kiss on the forehead. "You'll be fine."

I smiled slightly, and went into the house.

I entered the sitting room, where Spencer was sitting on the sofa, and I softly shut the doors behind me. I strode over to him and sat beside him.

"Hello, darling." he kissed me on the cheek, "Where have you been?"

"I was just out with Harry. He arrived this morning."

"Oh, that's nice. I'll have to see him later."

"That's probably a bad idea."

"Why?"

"No reason." I replied, and we were both silent. "So… I was thinking…"

"About?"

"Children."

He eyed me curiously. "What about them?"

"Well, how long after we're married do you want to have children?"

"I'm not sure. At least a year maybe."

"How about eight months?" I asked quickly.

"Sure, we can try for a child in eight months."

"I don't think you understood. I meant if a child were to be born in eight months, not conceived."

"Mer, it takes nine months to have a baby. For us to have one in eight months would- Oh!" he finally figured it out.

I nodded meekly.

"Meredith, are you…?"

"Yes. I just got back from the doctor now. Harry took me."

He turned pale. "Oh my God… I think I'm going to be sick…"

I suddenly felt my lunch coming back up. "I think I am too. Pardon me." I clamped a hand over my mouth and fled the room. Once I reached the bathroom I didn't even shut the door all the way, I vomited into the closest thing, which was the sink. When I was finished, I sunk to the floor, and curled into a ball to cry. I stayed there for awhile, until I heard a knock on the door.

"Go away." I mumbled irritably, but the door opened anyway.

It was Spencer. "Merry, I'm sorry. My reaction wasn't the best…"

"I wasn't expecting it to be."

"How are we going to tell anyone?"

"I suggest we keep our mouths shut, get married tomorrow, and then we'll say it happened on our wedding night. Then we can just say the baby was a month early. It'll be perfectly fine."

"That could work." He sat down on the floor beside me. "I'm really sorry about this, Meredith. I know this isn't how you pictured your new life in America."

"Not at all." I said with a small laugh, and a few more tears fell from my eyes.

He brushed them away. "Listen, Mer, you are my best friend. You're basically the only thing that kept me going after the sinking. We're going to get through this." he took my hand and held it tight, "Together."

Later on, Spencer and I were on the couch. I was leaning against him, holding a book on art. There were all sorts of wonderful sketches and paintings printed onto the pages.

Spencer pointed to one painting of tiger lilies. "This is beautiful. You know what it reminds me of?" I turned my head towards him. "You."

I smirked at the corniness, but I must admit, it was sweet. "Thanks." I kiss his cheek.

Harold walked into the room with one of the maids.

"Harold, welcome." I said and stood up, placing the book on the coffee table, and going to hug my brother.

"Hey, Mer. Long time, no see." he said sarcastically.

Spencer got up and walked over to us. "Good to see you again, Harold."

Harold hesitated for a moment. "Good to see you too." he finally replied, and shook Spencer's hand.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to get Ellie." I said, and gave a warning look to Harold before leaving the room, just in case he had any plans of talking, or killing, Spencer.

Once in the kitchen, I saw my kitten curled up into a tiny ball in her basket, sound asleep. I picked her up, and she opened her eyes and purred. I carried her into the sitting room, and snuck up behind my brother. I placed Ellie on the top of his head. He jumped slightly, and then took her off his head, placing the kitten in his lap and stroking her from head to tail.

"She's adorable." Harold said, and wouldn't let go of the kitten for a long time.

"So I assume you don't just think she's a filthy hairball?" I asked, remembering our earlier conversation.

"Not at all."

The three of us played with Ellie, and talked until dinner, and then after supper we all went back to talking in the sitting room over tea and coffee until nearly midnight.

"Oh jeez, it's late." Harold stood up from the sofa. "I had better get going to my hotel room, and you need to get your rest. You're going to be getting married tomorrow."

I then remembered, and felt a small sense of dread in my stomach. I still hadn't gotten used to the idea of getting married, but it was definitely too late now to have second thoughts.

Harold left, and Spencer and I both retired to our own rooms. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day.

Around seven in the morning, Aunt Gwen came into my room with three of her maids. They woke me up and made me get out of bed.

"Good morning, Meredith. It's your special day." Aunt Gwen said cheerfully.

They led me to the bathroom, and allowed my to take a bath. I laid in the warm water, just soaking for a while. This was the day… My stomach was doing cartwheels and I couldn't seem to calm it. Once I got out and dried myself off, I suddenly fell ill, and threw up again in the garbage can. That's when I remembered, I was pregnant. There was no turning back now. I placed my hands gently on my lower abdomen. It was hard to believe there was something living there. Something I created.

They dried and brushed my hair, putting it into a ponytail for the time being. Two maids began to lightly apply makeup to my face. I asked them to make me look natural, and they did. Aunt Gwen got my dress from the closet. It was exactly has we had discussed with the dressmaker. They helped me into it, and I had to say, it looked beautiful. My hair was then tied back into an elaborate bun. And voila! I was a beautiful, blushing bride.

Aunt Gwen told the maids to leave, and she shut the door behind them, returning to me. I sat on the edge of my bed, and she moved my dressing table chair over and sat by me.

"Now, Meredith, today is very important. I know this was all so sudden, but it will be best for you. He will take care of you, and you of him."

Her blue eyes looked sincere and her expression seemed softer than usual.

She grasped my hands with hers. "I've seen the two of you together. So young, and so full of life and love. You do love him, right?"

I hesitated for a moment, but then nodded slightly and nervously.

Her eyes searched my face suspiciously. "Is something the matter?"

I looked down at my lap. "No, ma'am. Nothing important."

"What's on your mind, dearie?" she asked caringly.

I began slowly. I might as well tell her what has been torturing me for months. "I had feelings for another man, back in April. On the ship, I met a friend of Harold's. Another officer, named James. Very handsome, and kind, and caring. He was wonderful. I think you might even have approved of him, despite his social class and lack of wealth. He died, unfortunately. I care for Spencer, and I love him. I really do. But I still have feelings for James, nagging at the back of my mind and clawing at my already fragile heart." I spoke hurriedly, and took a deep breath once I finished.

"Meredith, I'm so sorry… I hardly know what to say." She moved to sit next to me on my bed and placed her arm around my shoulders. "Your parents arrived this morning. They're at a hotel and will meet us at the church. Your father is going to walk you down the aisle. If that makes you feel any better."

I smiled, thinking about how good it will be to see my parents' faces again. I missed them terribly.

"That boy you met, I am sure he was a good man, but he is gone now. I wish I could help, but it's a bit too late to do anything about it. You'll be marrying Spencer, and have to forget about that other man. It's difficult, but it's what must be done. You do understand?"

I nodded slowly.

"Is there anything else bothering you?" she asked.

I hesitated nervously. "No, Aunt Gwen. Nothing. Although I would like to thank you for your generosity and kindness. It was nice of you to take me in to your home and treat me so well."

"You're quite welcome, my dear." she gave me a gentle hug. "I had no children of my own, you know. But I've come to think of you almost like a daughter. If you ever need anything at all, feel free to come to me."

I smiled gratefully at her. She stood up, and picked up a veil from my dressing table. She delicately placed it onto my head. "Ah. There. Perfect."

I stood up, and walked over to my long mirror again. I spun around slowly, examining how different, yet beautiful I looked. It was a bit surreal. Aunt Gwen stood behind me, with her hands on my shoulders. "Today will be great. Don't you worry." she kissed my cheek lightly, and gave me a reassuring smile that I saw through the mirror.

Then she left, and I struck a few poses in front of the mirror, while I practiced the most life changing line I'd ever have to say: 'I do'.

There was a knock on my door, and I hear Tracy say "Miss Meredith, it's time for you to leave. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I muttered to myself, and then called to Tracy, "Yes. I'll be down in a moment."

Taking one last look at myself, I lifted up the skirt of my gown a bit and proceeded down to the parlor where Aunt Gwen was now waiting, dressed in a lavender, high necked, lacy dress.

The cars were pulled around front, and I was helped into one by a driver. I rested my forehead against the window, and watched the city go by as we were on our way to the church.

Once we arrived, the driver helped me out of the car carefully, and as soon as my feet were on the ground, a body ran into my and wrapped their arms around me. "My darling Meredith!" It was my mother. I hugged her as tightly as she hugged me.

"Mama! Oh, how I've missed you!"

She looked just like she did when I last saw her. She had tears in her eyes, and her thin lips were pulled into a sincere smile. There were a few wrinkles, but they made her appear to be gracefully aging. She was always beautiful in my eyes. Today she wore her dark brown hair in a tight bun, and she was in a light peach colored dress I remember she wore for my brother Edgar's wedding a few years ago. She was lovely, and everything I wished to one day be.

Behind her was my father, who I embraced next. He was looking smart in a simple suit and a navy blue tie. His hair, once a light brown, was still gray as it had been for years. Mostly my brothers' doing, I assume, seeing as they drove him mad.

"My dear. You look radiant." He was grasping both of my hands and speaking with such sincerity.

"Thanks, daddy." I kissed his cheek.

My two older brothers who had still been residing in Wales, George and Edgar, hugged me at the same time. "Georgie! Eddie! It's been too long." I exclaimed. I had really missed my whole family.

George's wife, Enid, greeted me, and then their ten year old son, Dylan did as well. Then Edgar and his two daughters, Joanna and Louisa, aged seven and four. I used to watch then when Edgar had to work and his wife, Kendra, had to work.

"Kendra wanted to be here, but her mother fell ill. So she went to see her, while I brought the girls here." he explained.

"I hope her mother feels better, and I'll have to come visit sometime. I miss her."

Arthur showed up a moment later with Jenny, and his wife Sarah, who, being nine months pregnant, appeared ready to burst any moment. She managed to hug me, despite the large bump under her dress.

I looked behind me and saw Harold walking towards us.

He saw me, and walked faster. "Oh, Merry. You look beautiful." he was in awe.

"Thanks, Harry."

I then looked to my mother, who was beginning to cry. "All of my children together again. I never thought I'd see this."

My father put his arm around her. "Save some tears for the ceremony, Harriet." he smiled, and led her into the church.

Harold wrapped his arm around my waist gently and walked me inside.

Soon I was sitting nervously in a small room inside the church with my bridesmaids. They were the daughters of a few of my aunt's friends. I didn't know them, nor their families, who were also invited.

The girls were all wearing cheerful sky blue dresses and hats.

There was a knock at the door, and one of the girls went to answer it. "Who is it?" she asked, opening the door just an inch.

"Spencer."

I froze in my chair.

"You can't see your bride before the wedding. It's bad luck." The girl shut the door completely.

I could then hear his muffled voice, "Come on!" he whined. "How about if you girls all leave, and allow her and I to have a private conversation through the door? I won't look at her. I promise."

They looked to me, and I nodded. They filed out the door one by one. I stood up and walked to the door, closing it except for a small crack. I leaned against it. "Spencer?" I whispered.

"Meredith. Hey." he whispered from my other side. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit nervous. But I haven't gotten sick yet this morning. So that's good."

"That's good." I could sense he was smiling as he spoke. "So… This is it."

"Yea…"

"You nervous?"

"I already told you. Yes."

"Oh." he laughed nervously. I could tell he was a bit more than I was.

I could hear footsteps, and suddenly another voice. "Spencer, you have to get in there. We're starting soon."

"Alright." he answered, and then turned his attention back to me, "I'll see you soon, Mer."

I put my full weight against the door and let it close completely, and then sunk down to the floor. My hand was against my chest and I tried to control my breathing.

A few minutes later, I had gotten up due to a knock on the door. The bridesmaids were back. "Miss Meredith, it's time to begin." I could hear the organ playing faintly in the background.

I nodded. "Alright." I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

One girl handed me my bouquet of yellow roses. We all went into the hall outside the two closed doors leading into the wedding. The bridesmaids lines up next to the men that had been gathered for Spencer. I stood behind them all, and my father walked over to stand by my side. "Nervous?"

I linked arms with him, "More than I ever have been in my life."

He chuckled. "Sounds like your mother on our wedding day. But she said once she saw me standing at the end of the aisle, the nerves went away."

The organ started up again, this time with the wedding march, and the doors opened. Everyone filed in slowly, two by two, as all the guests stood up. There were a few reporters at the side of the room. I guess a gathering of wealthy people at a wedding of two Titanic survivors is the best story they could come up with at the moment.

Finally, I entered the room. There were blue ribbons tied to each row of pews, and yellow roses adorning the area around where I would soon be standing next to my husband to be. And that's when I looked at him. He wore a suit, and there was a yellow rose hanging out of his pocket. Aunt Gwen wanted to keep us coordinated. My father was right. My nerves disappeared. Coming out of my fog of thoughts, I noticed my father handing me off to Spencer at the alter, and he kissed my cheek.

Spencer took my hands and led me up the one step. Then he smiled at me. I smiled back.

The organ stopped, and the priest gave a short prayer, then opened his book. "We are gathered here today to witness these two come together in holy matrimony under the eyes of God. It is always a momentous and wonderful occasion when we can witness the coming together of two souls. Before we hear the vows we must look upon the words of God concerning love. From first Corinthians, the thirteenth chapter, verses four to seven. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

He went on, but I wasn't paying attention. I was looking at the man standing across from me. I'd grown to care more for him over the past few days. The only thing stopping me was my feelings for James. I still missed him, but I couldn't let it affect my life. I was getting married, and would be a mother next year. There was a lot going on, and I just had to dive right in.

"Now, do you, Spencer Lucas Welch, take Meredith Wynne Lowe to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, through sickness and in health, richer and poorer, to be forever faithful to just her, until death do you part?"

"I do." he said right away. Perhaps a bit too quickly, and he noticed. I could see him blushing.

Then the priest turned to me. "Do you, Meredith Wynne Lowe, take Spencer Lucas Welch to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, through sickness and in health, richer and poorer, to be forever faithful to him, until death do you part?"

"I-" I felt morning sickness finally coming on. Oh no… Not now…. "I do." I was able to get it out. I was trying to use deep breathing to keep my nausea down.

"Now, if anyone here has any reason these two should not be wed, please speak now or forever hold your peace." There was silence. "Then I now pronounce you both husband and wife. Sir, you may kiss your bride."

He took a step towards me, and pressed his lips to mine. After a second I pulled my lips away subtly.

"What's wrong?" he whispered worriedly.

"Nausea. Sorry."

"It's alright." he kissed my cheek, and the wrapped his arm around my waist. We walked down the aisle while everyone stood and clapped.

He led me out into the hall. "The bathroom is right there." he pointed to the door down the hall. "Hurry."

I lifted up the skirt of my dress and rushed down the hall, throwing open the bathroom door, shutting it as softly as I could, and then I emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet.

Harold walked into the bathroom, and saw me on the floor. "Spencer told me you were in here. He didn't quite have the guts to walk into the ladies' bathroom."

"But I see you did." I replied while wiping the corners of my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Well it takes a real man to walk into a ladies' bathroom, you know. I came in here to make sure you're alright, Mrs. Welch." he held out his hand for me.

"I'm alright." I took his hand and stood up.

"Come on. They're all waiting for you. They have to throw rice and take pictures."

I looked at the mirror and fixed myself up. Harold led me out of the bathroom and out to the doors leading out of the church. The sun was so bright it nearly blinded me at first. Spencer took me from Harold, and placed his arm around my waist again. "Feeling better?"

"Yes." The reporters swarmed around, taking pictures. Their flashbulbs were going off one after another. "Seems more like a big news scoop than a wedding. Why do they care so much?"

"We're apparently proof of something good coming out of the disaster."

We posed for a few photographs, and then the reporters left to write their stories.

Now it was back to Aunt Gwen's house to have our reception in her large garden. On the large stone patio, Spencer and I had our first dance together as husband and wife, and all around us were beautiful flowers. Who could have pictured such a perfect moment? We all laughed and talked and the hours just drifted away. Such a wonderful night, condensed into a blur of a memory.

I tossed my bouquet, and Jenny caught it. Arthur of course, took it from her, and handed the flowers to his wife. Jenny, being only five, certainly wouldn't be marrying anybody soon. I laughed, and then picked my niece up, twirling her around.

By ten at night, most of the party had retired. My parents said their tearful goodbyes. They had to get back home and would be leaving tomorrow. My brothers Edgar and George too along with their families. Oh how I'd miss them all again.

Spencer and I would be leaving for our honeymoon to Europe in two days, and now, as the maids cleaned up from the party, we went upstairs to his bedroom. I went to open his door, but he stopped me, and in one quick motion, picked me up. He then tried to open the door. "I probably should've done this first."

"Here. Let me." I reached over and turned the knob, and he pushed the door open. He gingerly placed me onto the bed, and went to shut the door.

"So… Mrs. Spencer Welch. How are you feeling?" he asked softly, coming towards me.

I was laying on his bed, with my head on the pillows, but I was on my side so I could look at him. "Tired." I answered, and closed my eyes, pretending to fall asleep.

"Oh." he sounded disappointed and sat down on the side of the bed, facing away from me. He was taking his shoes off. I know because I could hear them hit the floor. One then the other. I quietly shifted myself and quickly wrapped my arms around him, pulling him down onto myself so his back was against my stomach. He laughed. "Sneaky."

"I can be sneakier." I sat up, shifting him over a bit so I'd be able to, and I leaned over him to place a kiss on his lips. I smiled against his mouth. "See. You never saw that coming, now did you?"

"Not at all." he moved so he was sitting up too, and he placed his hand on the back of my neck and kissed me. Somehow I ended up laying on my back, and he was hovering over me, tracing my collarbone with kisses.

I slipped his suit jacket off of him, and was unbuttoning his shirt, which was thrown on the floor. I sat up a bit so he could unhook the back of my dress, which took a bit longer than expected, but he got it. That was soon slipped off, along with my dreaded corset which I was glad to be rid of. He began to shimmy out of his pants, and eventually, all clothing ended up strewn on the bedroom floor, and he and I were under the covers, entirely him and I. Just us. He was still over me, and kissing me passionately. He stopped, and looked at me seriously.

"I'm not going to hurt the baby, am I?"

"No. I don't believe so. It'll be fine."

"You sure?" How cute. Not even a father yet and he's already concerned about his child.

"I'm sure, Spencer. Now just do this before I change my mind and actually do go to bed." I said jokingly.

"You wouldn't do that to me. You're not that mean."

"You sure? I can be pretty mean." I answered coyly.

"You're not mean. You're sweet." he kissed me, "And beautiful." he kissed me again, "And perfect." and again, "And everything I've ever wanted." he kissed me again, and didn't stop. He caressed me all over, and nibbled my ear a bit, which tickled.

"Spencer…" I gasped.

He stopped, and smirked at me. "I love you, Mer."

"I love you too." I smiled.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next. And again soon after that. And for a third time, before we finally went to bed. I laid under the covers, with my back against his chest, and his arm around my middle. I fell asleep to the rhythm of his breath in my ear, and the beat of his heart against my spine.

So for those of you who didn't see my authors note I posted earlier today, I had some personal issues to deal with. Some bad depression and anxiety, and I got out of a long, but not so good relationship. Things are starting to look up though. I was also in Arizona for a week and couldn't bring my laptop with me. I pushed myself today to work on this. It's now about 2 AM in New Jersey, and I'm very tired. I hope it was worth it. There are more chapters to come. Chapter 15 will be up soon. I hope you all won't mind if the next chapter skips a little bit of time. I hope you all haven't abandoned me. I love this story and will keep writing it. I just need to stop letting my issues get in the way. Thank you for reading chapter 14. Chapter 15 will be posted as soon as possible. Thank you! Please review.